Electronic device and control method thereof

ABSTRACT

Methods and apparatuses are provided for detecting a gesture at an electronic device. The gesture is received through an input module of the electronic device. A direction combination corresponding to the gesture is determined. The direction combination includes a plurality of directions. Information regarding the direction combination is compared with information regarding at least one direction combination, which is stored in a memory of the electronic device. A state of the electronic device is changed from a first state to a second state, using at least one processor of the electronic device, according to a result of comparing the information regarding the direction combination with the information regarding the at least one direction combination.

PRIORITY

This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §119(a) to KoreanPatent Application No. 10-2015-0028700, filed in the Korean IntellectualProperty Office, on Feb. 28, 2015, the entire disclosure of which isincorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND

1. Field of the Disclosure

The present disclosure relates generally to electronic deviceoperations, and more particularly, to electronic devices and controlmethods of electronic devices for performing operations according touser inputs.

2. Description of the Related Art

With the development of electronic technologies, various types ofelectronic devices have been developed and propagated. Particularly,smart electronic devices, such as smartphones or tablet personalcomputers (PCs), have come into wide use. Smart electronic devices, suchas smartphones, store a variety of personal information, such as, forexample, contact information, photos, conversion contents, and emails.These smart electronic devices also provide a lock state in order toprevent the stored personal information from being accessed by others.

There may be a request to enter a password on a lock screen to unlock asmart electronic device. However, if a password comprising few number ofletters is set, the password may be vulnerable to security. If apassword comprising large number of letters is set, the user may feelinconvenience. Therefore, a pattern input method using a plurality ofpoints is developed for users who feel uncomfortable to enter passwords.However, since it is possible to connect only fixed points in thepattern input method, it is impossible to enter a password with one handof a user and there is a limit to security.

SUMMARY

The present disclosure has been made to address at least the aboveproblems and/or disadvantages and to provide at least the advantagesdescribed below. Accordingly, an aspect of the present disclosureprovides an electronic device for setting various patterns, forunlocking the electronic device according to preference of a userwithout refraining from an input form and an input region, and simplyunlocking the electronic device with one hand of a user and performingan operation corresponding to a user input.

In accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure an electronicdevice is provided that includes an input module configured to detect agesture, and a memory configured to store information regarding at leastone direction combination. The electronic device also includes a controlmodule configured to compare information regarding a directioncombination corresponding to the gesture with the information regardingthe at least one direction combination, and to change a state of theelectronic device from a first state to a second state according to aresult of comparing the information regarding the direction combinationwith the information regarding the at least one direction combination.The direction combination includes a plurality of directions.

In accordance with another aspect of the present disclosure, anelectronic device is provided that includes an input mode configured todetect a gesture, and a memory. The electronic device also includes acontrol module configured to determine a plurality of directionscorresponding to the gesture, and to store, in the memory, informationregarding a direction combination that includes the plurality ofdirections.

In accordance with another aspect of the present disclosure, a controlmethod of an electronic device is provided. A gesture is receivedthrough an input module of the electronic device. A directioncombination corresponding to the gesture is determined. The directioncombination includes a plurality of directions. Information regardingthe direction combination is compared with information regarding atleast one direction combination, which is stored in a memory of theelectronic device. A state of the electronic device is changed from afirst state to a second state, using at least one processor of theelectronic device, according to a result of comparing the informationregarding the direction combination with the information regarding theat least one direction combination.

In accordance with another aspect of the present disclosure, a modechanging method of an electronic device is provided. Context informationregarding the electronic device is obtained. It is determined whetherthe context information corresponds to a condition. A first unlock modeof the electronic device is changed to a second unlock mode of theelectronic device using at least one processor of the electronic device,based on whether the context information corresponds to the condition.

In accordance with another aspect of the present disclosure, a computerrecording medium recorded is provided with a computer-readableinstruction. The instruction, which is executed by at least oneprocessor, causes the at least one processor to perform a method whichincludes: receiving a gesture through an input module of the electronicdevice; determining a direction combination corresponding to thegesture, the direction combination comprising a plurality of directions;comparing information regarding the direction combination withinformation regarding at least one direction combination, which isstored in a memory of the electronic device; and changing a state of theelectronic device from a first state to a second state, using at leastone processor of the electronic device, according to a result ofcomparing the information regarding the direction combination with theinformation regarding the at least one direction combination.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above and other aspects, features, and advantages of embodiments ofthe present disclosure will be more apparent from the following detaileddescription when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, inwhich:

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an electronicdevice, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIGS. 2A, 2B, 2C, and 2D are diagrams illustrating the determination ofa direction of a user operation, according to an embodiment of thepresent disclosure;

FIGS. 3A, 3B, 3C, 3D, 3E, 3F, 3G, and 3H are diagrams illustrating thedetermination of a direction of a user operation, according to anembodiment of the present disclosure;

FIGS. 4A, 4B, 4C, 4D, 4E, 4F, 4G, and 4H are diagrams illustrating thedetermination of a direction of a user operation, according to anembodiment of the present disclosure;

FIGS. 5A and 5B are diagrams illustrating the determination of adirection of a user operation, according to an embodiment of the presentdisclosure;

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating the determination of a direction of auser operation, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIGS. 7A and 7B are drawings illustrating the determination of adirection of a user operation, according to an embodiment of the presentdisclosure;

FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating the determination of a direction of auser operation, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating the determination of a change of anangle of a user operation, according to an embodiment of the presentdisclosure;

FIGS. 10A and 10B are diagrams illustrating the determination of adetecting region of a user operation, according to an embodiment of thepresent disclosure;

FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating the determination of a device to whicha user operation is input, according to an embodiment of the presentdisclosure;

FIGS. 12A, 12B, 12C, and 12D are diagrams illustrating the display of aguide corresponding to a user operation, according to an embodiment ofthe present disclosure;

FIGS. 13A, 13B, 13C, and 13D are diagrams illustrating the display of anobject corresponding to a direction of a user operation, according to anembodiment of the present disclosure;

FIGS. 14A, 14B, 14C, 14D, 14E, and 14F and FIGS. 15A, 15B, 15C, 15D,15E, and 15F are diagrams illustrating a user interface displayed on adisplay, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 16 is a flowchart illustrating a control method of an electronicdevice, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; and

FIG. 17 is a flowchart illustrating a method for changing an unlock modeof an electronic device, according to an embodiment of the presentdisclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Embodiments of the present disclosure are described in detail withreference to the accompanying drawings. The same or similar componentsmay be designated by the same or similar reference numerals althoughthey are illustrated in different drawings. Detailed descriptions ofconstructions or processes known in the art may be omitted to avoidobscuring the subject matter of the present disclosure.

As described herein, the expressions “have”, “may have”, “include”,“comprise”, “may include”, and “may comprise” indicate the existence ofcorresponding features (e.g., elements such as numeric values,functions, operations, or components) but do not exclude the presence ofadditional features.

As described herein, the expressions “A or B”, “at least one of A andB”, and “one or more of A and B” may include any and all combinations ofone or more of the associated listed items. For example, the term “A orB”, “at least one of A and B”, and “one or more of A and B” may refer toa case where at least one A is included, a case where at least one B isincluded, or a case where both A and B are included.

Expressions such as “1st”, “2nd”, “first”, and “second”, as used herein,may refer to various elements irrespective of the order and/or priorityof the corresponding elements, but do not limit the correspondingelements. The expressions may be used to distinguish one element fromanother element. For example, both “a first user device” and “a seconduser device” indicate different user devices irrespective of the orderand/or priority of the corresponding elements. Additionally, a firstcomponent may be referred to as a second component and vice versawithout departing from the scope of the present disclosure.

It will be understood that when an element (e.g., a first element) isreferred to as being “(operatively or communicatively) coupled with/to”or “connected to” another element (e.g., a second element), it can bedirectly coupled with/to or connected to the other element, or anintervening element (e.g., a third element) may be present. In contrast,when an element (e.g., a first element) is referred to as being“directly coupled with/to” or “directly connected to” another element(e.g., a second element), it should be understood that there are nointervening elements (e.g., a third element).

The expression “configured to”, as used herein, may be usedinterchangeably with, for example, “suitable for”, “having the capacityto”, “designed to”, “adapted to”, “made to”, or “capable of”. The term“configured to” does not only mean “specifically designed to” withrespect to hardware. Instead, the expression “a device configured to”may mean that the device is “capable of” operating together with anotherdevice or other components. For example, a “processor configured toperform A, B, and C” may mean a generic-purpose processor (e.g., acentral processing unit (CPU) or an application processor), which mayperform corresponding operations by executing one or more softwareprograms, that stores a dedicated processor (e.g., an embeddedprocessor) for performing a corresponding operation.

Terms used herein are used to describe specific embodiments of thepresent disclosure and are not intended to limit the scope of thepresent disclosure. The terms of a singular form may include pluralforms unless otherwise specified. Unless otherwise defined herein, allterms used herein, which include technical or scientific terms, may havethe same meanings as those generally understood by a person skilled inthe art. It will be further understood that terms, which are defined ina dictionary and are commonly used, should also be interpreted as iscustomary in the relevant related art and not in an idealized or overlyformal manner unless expressly so defined herein. In some cases, even ifterms are defined in the specification, they are not to be interpretedto exclude embodiments of the present disclosure.

Electronic devices, according to embodiments of the present disclosure,may be embodies as at least one of, for example, smartphones, tabletpersonal computers (PCs), mobile phones, video telephones, electronicbook readers, desktop PCs, laptop PCs, netbook computers, workstations,servers, personal digital assistants (PDAs), portable multimedia players(PMPs), Motion Picture Experts Group (MPEG-1 or MPEG-2) Audio Layer 3(MP3) players, mobile medical devices, cameras, or wearable devices(e.g., smart glasses, head-mounted-devices (HMDs), electronic apparel,electronic bracelets, electronic necklaces, electronic appcessories,electronic tattoos, smart mirrors, or smart watches).

According to embodiments of the present disclosure, the electronicdevices may be embodied as smart home appliances. The smart homeappliances may include at least one of, for example, televisions (TVs),digital versatile disc (DVD) players, audio players, refrigerators, airconditioners, cleaners, ovens, microwave ovens, washing machines, aircleaners, set-top boxes, home automation control panels, securitycontrol panels, TV boxes, game consoles, electronic dictionaries,electronic keys, camcorders, or electronic picture frames.

According to embodiments of the present disclosure, the electronicdevices may be embodied as at least one of various medical devices(e.g., various portable medical measurement devices (e.g., blood glucosemeters, heart rate meters, blood pressure meters, or thermometers, andthe like), magnetic resonance angiography (MRA), magnetic resonanceimaging (MRI), computed tomography (CT), scanners, or ultrasonicdevices, and the like), navigation devices, global navigation satellitesystem (GNSS), event data recorders (EDRs), flight data recorders(FDRs), vehicle infotainment devices, electronic equipment for vessels(e.g., navigation systems, gyrocompasses, and the like), avionics,security devices, head units for vehicles, industrial or home robots,automated teller machines (ATMs), points of sales (POSs) devices, orInternet of Things (IoT) (e.g., light bulbs, various sensors, electricor gas meters, sprinkler devices, fire alarms, thermostats, streetlamps, toasters, exercise equipment, hot water tanks, heaters, boilers,and the like).

According to embodiments of the present disclosure, the electronicdevices may be embodied as at least one of parts of furniture orbuildings/structures, electronic boards, electronic signature receivingdevices, projectors, or various measuring instruments (e.g., watermeters, electricity meters, gas meters, or wave meters, and the like).The electronic devices, according to various embodiments of the presentdisclosure, may be one or more combinations of the above-describeddevices. The electronic devices, according to various embodiments of thepresent disclosure, may be flexible electronic devices. Also, electronicdevices, according to various embodiments of the present disclosure, arenot limited to the above-described devices, and may include newelectronic devices according to the development of new technologies.

Hereinafter, electronic devices, according to embodiments of the presentdisclosure, are described with reference to the accompanying drawings.The term “user”, as used herein, may refer to a person who uses anelectronic device, or may refer to a device (e.g., an artificialintelligence electronic device) that uses an electronic device.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an electronicdevice, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Referring to FIG. 1, an electronic device 100 includes an input module110, a memory 120, a communication module 130, a sensor module 140, adisplay 150, an audio module 160, a motor 170, and a control module 180.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the input module110 may detect a user operation (or a gesture). According to anembodiment of the present disclosure, the input module 110 includes atleast one of a touch sensor panel 111, a pen sensor panel 113, a gesturesensor 115, and a voice sensor 117.

The touch sensor panel 111 senses a touch operation of a user. The pensensor panel 113 senses a pen operation of the user. The gesture sensor115 (or a motion sensor) recognizes a motion of the user. The voicesensor 117 recognizes a voice of the user.

The touch sensor panel 111 may use at least one of an electrostatictype, a resistive type, an infrared type, or an ultrasonic type. Also,the touch sensor panel 111 may further include a control circuit. Thetouch sensor panel 111 may further include a tactile layer and mayprovide a tactile reaction to the user. The pen sensor panel 113 may be,for example, part of a touch panel or may include a separate sheet forrecognition.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the gesture sensor115 (or the motion sensor) may include a camera. The gesture sensor 115may capture motion of the user (e.g., motion of his or her arm orfinger) and may recognize his or her gesture. According to an embodimentof the present disclosure, the camera included in the gesture sensor 115may include an infrared sensor for recognizing a gesture of the user.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the voice sensor117 may include a microphone and may recognize a voice of the user inputthrough the microphone. The user operation used herein may include avoice operation recognized by a voice of the user.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, a user operationinput through the input module 110 may be input in a subsequent ornon-subsequent manner. With respect to the subsequent manner of input,for example, one user operation may include a plurality of directions,and the user may input one user operation in order to input a pluralityof directions (e.g., four directions). With respect to thenon-subsequent manner of input, for example, one user operation mayinclude one direction, and the user may input a plurality of useroperations in the non-subsequent manner to input a plurality ofdirections.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the input module110 may detect a user operation that is input within a specific distancethrough the pen sensor panel 113, the gesture sensor 115, and the like,without being in direct contact with the touch sensor panel 111. Theinput module 110 may also detect a user operation that is in directcontact with the touch sensor panel 111. According to an embodiment ofthe present disclosure, an object (e.g., a pen or a finger of the user),that is approaching to input a user operation, may be recognized using aproximity sensor.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the input module110 may be implemented as being independent from the electronic device100, as well as being embedded in the electronic device 100, and mayinclude an external input device connected with the electronic device100 by wire or wirelessly.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the input module110 (e.g., the touch sensor module 111 or the pen sensor module 113) mayinclude a plurality of regions (e.g., two or more regions). The inputmodule 110 may detect a user operation input to at least some of theplurality of regions. For example, the user may input a user operationto one of the plurality of regions or may input a user operation to allof the plurality of regions.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the input module(e.g., the touch sensor panel 111) may activate only some regions thatare predicted to receive an input as a user operation, from among theplurality of regions. For example, if the user operates the electronicdevice 100 with his or her left hand, the input module 110 may activatesome regions corresponding to the left hand among the plurality ofregions, and may receive an input from the user in the activated.According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the input module110 may detect a user operation irrespective of an on/off state of thedisplay 150. For example, the input module 110 (e.g., the touch sensorpanel 111) may receive power in a state where the display 150 ispowered-off (or in a waiting state) and may detect a user operation.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the memory 120 maystore information about at least one direction combination. According toan embodiment of the present disclosure, the direction combination mayinclude at least one of a direction of a user operation, an input orderof the user operation, a detecting region of the user operation, or atype of a device to which the user operation is input. According to anembodiment of the present disclosure, the memory 120 may map anoperation (or a command) that may be performed by the control module 180to each of at least one direction combination and may store the mappedinformation. For example, a first direction combination may be mapped toan operation of unlocking the electronic device 100 and the mappedinformation may be stored in the memory 120. A second direction patternmay be mapped to an operation of executing a camera application and themapped information may be stored in the memory 120.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, information abouta direction combination and an operation, which is stored in the memory120, may be set by the user. For example, the electronic device 100 mayreceive information about a direction combination and a correspondingoperation for unlocking the electronic device 100 from the user.Information about a direction combination input by the user may bestored in the memory 120. According to an embodiment of the presentdisclosure, information about a direction combination and acorresponding operation, which is stored in the memory 120, may bechanged by the user.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the communicationmodule 130 may connect with an external device to communicate with theexternal device. The communication module 130 may connect with theexternal device by wire or wirelessly. According to an embodiment of thepresent disclosure, the communication module 130 may connect with theexternal device using a wireless communication technology such as, forexample, Bluetooth (BT), near field communication (NFC), Zigbee,wireless-fidelity (Wi-Fi), 3rd generation (3G), long term evolution(LTE), or global navigation satellite system (GNSS).

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the communicationmodule 130 includes at least one of a cellular module 131, a Wi-Fimodule 133, a BT module 135, a GNSS module 137 (e.g., a globalpositioning system (GPS) module, a Glonass module, a Beidou module, or aGalileo module), an NFC module 138, and a radio frequency (RF) module139.

The cellular module 131 may provide, for example, a voice call service,a video call service, a text message service, or an Internet service,through a cellular network. According to an embodiment of the presentdisclosure, the cellular module 131 may identify and authenticate theelectronic device 100 in a communication network using a subscriberidentification module (SIM) (e.g., a SIM card).

The Wi-Fi module 133, the BT module 135, the GNSS module 137, and theNFC module 138 may include, for example, a processor for processing datatransmitted and received through the corresponding module. According toembodiments of the present disclosure, at least some (e.g., two or more)of the cellular module 131, the Wi-Fi module 133, the BT module 135, theGNSS module 137, and the NFC module 138 may be included in oneintegrated chip (IC) or one IC package.

The RF module 139 may transmit and receive a communication signal (e.g.,an RF signal). The RF module 139 may include a transceiver, a poweramplifier module (PAM), a frequency filter, a low noise amplifier (LNA),or an antenna. According to another embodiment of the presentdisclosure, at least one of the cellular module 131, the Wi-Fi module133, the BT module 135, the GNSS module 137, and the NFC module 138 maytransmit and receive an RF signal through a separate RF module.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the communicationmodule 130 may receive a user operation, which is detected through anexternal input device, from the external input device. For example, ifthe external input device is a touch sensor panel or a pen sensor panel,the communication module 130 may receive a coordinate value input by atouch operation or a pen operation of the user.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the cellularmodule 131 may obtain serving cell identification information throughthe cellular network. The Wi-Fi module 133 may obtain access point (AP)identification information through a Wi-FI network. The GNSS module 137may obtain current location information of the electronic device 100.The BT module 135 or the NFC module 138 may connect with a vehicle andmay receive a variety of information associated with the vehicle fromthe vehicle.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the sensor module140 may sense a state (or a situation) around the electronic device 100.The sensor module 140 includes at least one of an acceleration sensor141, a gyro sensor 143, and an illumination sensor 145. The accelerationsensor 141 may determine acceleration of the electronic device 100. Theacceleration sensor 141 may measure a direction of gravity (or a tilt ofthe electronic device 100). The acceleration sensor 141 may sensegravity acceleration and may measure the direction of gravity. Also, theacceleration sensor 141 may sense the tilt of the electronic device 100using the gravity acceleration. The gyro sensor 143 may determinerotation of the electronic device 100. The illumination sensor 145 maysense illumination (or brightness) around the electronic device 100. Ifan object (e.g., a user's hand and the like) is approaching theelectronic device 100, a proximity sensor may sense a position of theobject close to the electronic device 100.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the display 150may display a user interface including a variety of text, icons, orimages. The user interface displayed on the display 150 may be criteriafor determining a direction of a user operation. The display 150 maydisplay a guide for helping to perform a user operation.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the display 150may display an object that displays a direction of a user operation. Thedisplay 150 may include a panel, a hologram device, or a project. Thepanel may be implemented to be, for example, flexible, transparent, orwearable. The panel and the touch sensor panel 111 may be integratedinto one module, for example, a touch screen. The hologram device mayshow a stereoscopic image in a space using interference of light. Theprojector may project light onto a screen to display an image. Thescreen may be positioned, for example, inside or outside the electronicdevice 100.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the display 150may display a different object according to a direction of a useroperation. For example, the display 150 may display an arrow, text, or avideo effect (e.g., an effect of turning over a page in a direction of auser operation) indicating a direction of a user operation,

The audio module 160 may convert an electric audio signal into a soundand may output the converted sound. For example, the audio module 160may include an audio interface that may connect with a speaker or anearphone (or a headphone), or an embedded speaker.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the audio module160 may output an audio signal corresponding to a direction of a useroperation. The audio module 160 may output a different audio signalaccording to a direction of a user operation. For example, the audiomodule 160 may output different music, a different animal's sound, or adifferent warning sound, which correspond to each of upper, lower, left,and right directions, or a stereo voice having directionality, and thelike, as well as voice signals indicating the upper, lower, left, andright directions.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the audio module160 may output a different audio signal according to a device thatoutputs an audio signal. For example, since security is guaranteed if anearphone connects to an audio interface, the audio module 160 may outputan audio signal such that the user may directly know a direction, suchas the upper, lower, left, or right direction, through the earphone. Inanother example, if an external speaker connects to the audio interfaceor if an audio signal is output through an embedded speaker, the audiomodule 160 may output an audio signal, such as an animal's sound or awarning sound corresponding to each of the upper, lower, left, and rightdirections, such that the user may infer a direction.

The motor 170 may convert an electric signal into mechanical vibrationand may generate a vibration or a haptic effect, and the like. Accordingto an embodiment of the present disclosure, the motor 170 may generate adifferent vibration according to a direction of a user operation. Themotor 170 may generate a vibration a different number of times, at adifferent time, or having a different pattern according to a directionof a user operation. For example, if a user operation of an upperdirection is input, the motor 170 may generate short vibration. If auser operation of a lower direction is input, the motor 170 may generateshort vibration twice. If a user operation of a left direction is input,the motor 170 may generate short vibration once and may then generatelong vibration once. If a user operation of a right direction is input,the motor 170 may generate long vibration once and may then generateshort vibration once.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the motor 170 maygenerate a vibration having directionality corresponding to a directionof a user operation. For example, if a user operation of a rightdirection is input, the motor 170 may generate vibration from a leftside (or the center) of the electronic device 100 to a right side of theelectronic device 100. If a user operation of an upper direction isinput, the motor 170 may generate vibration from a lower side (or thecenter) of the electronic device 100 to an upper side of the electronicdevice 100.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the motor 170 mayinclude a plurality of motors. For example, the motor 170 may includemotors in positions corresponding to each of the upper, lower, left, andright directions. If a user operation is input, one of the motorscorresponding to a direction of the user operation may vibrate.

The control module 180 may control an overall operation of theelectronic device 100. For example, the control module 180 may controleach of the input module 110, the memory 120, the communication module130, the sensor module 140, the display 150, the audio module 160, andthe motor 170 to unlock the electronic device 100, according toembodiments of the present disclosure.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the control module180 may determine a direction combination of a user operation detectedby the input module 110. The control module 180 may determine adirection of a user operation detected by the input module 110. Forexample, the control module 180 may analyze a user operation and maydetermine a direction of the user operation as one of four directions(e.g., a right direction, a left direction, an upper direction, and alower direction). In another example, the control module 180 may analyzea user operation and may determine a direction of the user operation asone of eight directions (e.g., a right direction, a left direction, anupper direction, a lower direction, a right upper side, a right lowerside, a left upper side, and a left lower side). The direction of theuser operation may be interpreted as the same as an angle of the useroperation. For example, if a start point of the user operation isregarded as an origin of a two-dimensional (2D) coordinate system, adirection of the user operation may be indicated as an angle. Forexample, a right direction, an upper direction, a left direction, and alower direction may correspond to 0 degree, 90 degrees, 180 degrees, and270 degrees, respectively. A right upper direction, a left upperdirection, a left lower direction, and a right lower direction may becorrespond to 45 degrees, 135 degrees, 225 degrees, and 315 degrees,respectively.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the control module180 may selectively activate a region for receiving a user operationaccording to whether the display 150 is turned on/off, a user interfacedisplayed on the display 150, a status where the user grips theelectronic device 100, or user settings. For one example, the controlmodule 180 may detect a status where the user grips the electronicdevice 100 and may determine whether he or she operates the input module110 with his or her left hand or his or her right hand. The controlmodule 180 may process only a user operation detected within a specificregion (e.g., a left upper end or a right lower end of the sensor module140) of the input module 110 (e.g., the touch sensor panel 111 or thepen sensor panel 113) corresponding to a grip status of the user and mayignore user operations detected on the other regions. In anotherexample, the control module 180 may control the sensor module 140 tosense only a specific region and not to sense the other regions.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the control module180 may determine a direction of a user operation after a specific useroperation (e.g., a double tap) is input to the input module 110 (e.g.,the touch sensor panel 111) in a state where the display 150 ispowered-off. Specifically, the user may input a trigger operation forunlocking the electronic device 100 and may then input a user operationhaving directionality.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, if a useroperation is input in a non-subsequent manner, the control module 180may determine a direction from a start point of the user operation to anend point of the user operation as a direction of the user operation.For example, if the start point of the user operation is the same as theend point of the user operation and if a plurality of user operationshaving different paths are input, the control module 180 may equallydetermine directions of the plurality of user operations.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, if a plurality ofuser operations are input in a non-subsequent way, the control module180 may set a time (e.g., three seconds) when each of the plurality ofuser operations is input and may include only a user operation detectedwithin the set time in a direction combination. For example, if a secondgesture is detected within a set time after a first gesture is detected,the control module 180 may include a direction corresponding to thesecond gesture in the direction combination. If the second gesture isdetected more than a specified time after the first gesture is detected,the control module 180 may exclude the direction corresponding to thesecond gesture from the direction combination. According to anembodiment of the present disclosure, after one user operation is input,if a subsequent user operation is not input within a set time, thecontrol module 180 may determine that a user operation for receiving adirection combination is ended.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the control module180 may measure an amount of a time for inputting a subsequent useroperation at a time when one user operation is input. If a first useroperation is detected, the control module 180 may measure an amount timefor inputting a second user operation. If the second user operation isdetected within a set time, the control module 180 may measure an amountof time for inputting a third user operation.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, if a useroperation is detected having a specified length or more in a specificdirection, the control module 180 may determine that the user operationis input in the specific direction. If the user operation is detectedhaving the specified length or more, although the user operation iscontinuously detected in the same direction, the control module 180 maydetermine that one user operation is input in a specific direction. If auser operation is detected having a specified time or more in a specificdirection, the control module 180 may determine that the user operationis input in the specific direction. After a user operation is input athaving a specified length or more or having a specified time or more ina first direction, if a user operation is subsequently input at thespecified length or more or in the specified time or more in a seconddirection, the control module 180 may determine that a plurality of useroperations may sequentially input in the first and second directions.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, if a useroperation (or a gesture) is recognized through a motion sensor, thecontrol module 180 may determine a direction of the user operationaccording to motion of the user over time. For one example, if the usermoves his or her arm from a left side to a right side, the controlmodule 180 may determine that a user operation is input in a rightdirection. In another example, if the user moves his or her finger onhis or her desk and draws a direction, the control module 180 maydetermine that a user operation is input in a specific directionaccording to movement of his or her finger.

Methods of determining the direction of a user operation are describedwith reference to FIGS. 2A to 8, according to embodiments of the presentdisclosure.

FIGS. 2A to 2D are diagrams illustrating an operation of determining adirection of a user operation, according to an embodiment of the presentdisclosure. Particularly, in FIGS. 2A to 2D, a user inputs one of fourdirections using a single user operation.

FIGS. 2A to 2D illustrate various examples of a user operation detectedby the input module 110 (e.g., the touch sensor panel 111) of FIG. 1.According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, a control module180 of FIG. 1 may determine a direction of a user operation according toa position where the user operation moves (e.g., positions of a startpoint and an end point of the user operation). As shown in FIG. 2A, if auser operation is ended after being detected with a specified length ormore, or for a specified time or more, in a right direction from a startpoint of the user operation, the control module 180 determines adirection of the user operation as the right direction. As shown in FIG.2B, if a user operation is ended after being detected with the specifiedlength or more, or for the specified time or more, in a left directionfrom the start point, the control module 180 determines a direction ofthe user operation as the left direction. As shown in FIG. 2C, if a useroperation is ended after being detected with the specified length ormore, or for the specified time or more in an upper direction from thestart point, the control module 180 determines a direction of the useroperation as the upper direction. As shown in FIG. 2D, if a useroperation is ended after being detected with the specified length ormore, or for the specified time or more, in a lower direction from thestart point, the control module 180 determines a direction of the useroperation as the lower direction.

FIGS. 3A to 3H are diagrams illustrating the determination of adirection of a user operation, according to an embodiment of the presentdisclosure. Particularly, in FIGS. 3A to 3H, a user inputs one of eightdirections using a single user operation.

FIGS. 3A to 3H illustrate various examples of a user operation detectedby the input module 110 (e.g., the touch sensor panel 111) of FIG. 1.According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the control module180 of FIG. 1 determines a direction of a user operation according to aposition of a start point and a position of an end point of the useroperation. As shown in FIG. 3A, if the user operation is ended afterbeing detected with a specified length or more, or for a specified timeor more, in a right direction from a start point of the user operation,the control module 180 determines a direction of the user operation asthe right direction. As shown in FIG. 3B, if the user operation is endedafter being detected with the specified length or more, or for thespecified time or more, in a left direction from the start point, thecontrol module 180 determines a direction of the user operation as theleft direction. As shown in FIG. 3C, if the user operation is endedafter being detected with the specified length or more, or for thespecified time or more, in an upper direction from the start point, thecontrol module 180 determines a direction of the user operation as theupper direction. As shown in FIG. 3D, if the user operation is endedafter being detected with the specified length or more, or for thespecified time or more, in a lower direction from the start point, thecontrol module 180 determines a direction of the user operation as thelower direction. As shown in FIG. 3E, if the user operation is endedafter being detected with the specified length or more, or for thespecified time or more, in a right upper direction from the start point,the control module 180 determines a direction of the user operation asthe right upper direction. As shown in FIG. 3F, if the user operation isended after being detected with the specified length or more, or for thespecified time or more in a left lower direction from the start point,the control module 180 determines a direction of the user operation asthe left lower direction. As shown in FIG. 3G, if the user operation isended after being detected with the specified length or more, or for thespecified time or more, in a left upper direction from the start point,the control module 180 determines a direction of the user operation asthe left upper direction. As shown in FIG. 3H, if the user operation isended after being detected with the specified length or more, or for thespecified time or more, in a right lower direction from the start point,the control module 180 determines a direction of the user operation asthe right lower direction.

FIGS. 4A to 4H are diagrams illustrating the determination of adirection of a user operation, according to an embodiment of the presentdisclosure. Particularly, in FIGS. 4A to 4H, a user inputs a pluralityof directions using a single user operation.

FIGS. 4A to 4H illustrate various examples of a user operation detectedby the input module 110 (e.g., the touch sensor panel 111) of FIG. 1.According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, after one useroperation is input with a specified length or more, or for a specifiedtime or more in a first direction, if a user operation is subsequentlyinput with a specified length or more, or for a specified time or morein a second direction, a control module 180 of FIG. 1 determines that aplurality of user operations are subsequently input in the firstdirection and the second direction. For one example, if a user operationshown in FIG. 4A is detected, the control module 180 determines that auser operation of a right lower direction and a user operation of a leftlower direction are subsequently input. If a user operation shown inFIG. 4B is detected, the control module 180 determines that a useroperation of a left lower direction and a user operation of a rightlower direction are subsequently input. If a user operation shown inFIG. 4C is detected, the control module 180 determines that a useroperation of a right upper direction and a user operation of a rightlower direction are subsequently input. If a user operation shown inFIG. 4D is detected, the control module 180 determines that a useroperation of a right lower direction and a user operation of a rightupper direction are subsequently input. If a user operation shown inFIG. 4E is detected, the control module 180 determines that a useroperation of a lower direction, a user operation of a left direction, auser operation of a lower direction, a user operation of a rightdirection, and a user operation of a lower direction are subsequentlyinput. If a user operation shown in FIG. 4F is detected, the controlmodule 180 determines that a user operation of an upper direction, auser operation of a left direction, a user operation of a lowerdirection, a user operation of a right direction, a user operation of alower direction, and a user operation of a right direction aresubsequently input. If a user operation shown in FIG. 4G is detected,the control module 180 determines that a user operation of a lowerdirection, a user operation of a left direction, a user operation of aright lower direction, a user operation of a left direction, a useroperation of a right lower direction, and a user operation of a lowerdirection are subsequently input. If a user operation shown in FIG. 4His detected, the control module 180 determines that a user operation ofa lower direction, a user operation of a right upper direction, a useroperation of a left direction, a user operation of a right lowerdirection, and a user operation of an upper direction are subsequentlyinput. According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, a useroperation may include a user operation input within a specific distancefrom the touch sensor panel 111, as well as a user operation directlyprovided to the touch sensor panel 111.

FIGS. 5A and 5B are diagrams illustrating the determination of adirection of a user operation, according to an embodiment of the presentdisclosure. Particularly, FIGS. 5A and 5B illustrate criteria fordetermining a direction of a user operation.

FIG. 5A illustrates criteria for determining a direction, if the numberof recognizable directions is four. Referring to FIG. 5A, the inputmodule 110 (e.g., the touch sensor panel 111) is classified into fourregions by two straight lines 13 and 15, and each of the classified fourregions include a single direction. Thereafter, if a position of theuser operation is changed, the changed user operation is located on oneof the four regions. The control module 180 determines a direction ofthe user operation based on the region in which it is located.Specifically, the control module 180 determines that the user operationmoves in a direction of a region in which the changed user operation islocated. If a position of the user operation is changed, the inputmodule 110 (e.g., the touch sensor panel 111) is classified into fournew regions relative to the changed position. The control module 180 maydetermine a direction, in which the user operation moves, again relativeto the newly classified regions. The control module 180 may sequentiallydetermine directions, in which the user operation moves, using theabove-described method. If a user operation is subsequently detectedwith a specified length or more, or for a specified time or more, in aspecific direction, the control module 180 may determine that the useroperation is input in the specific direction.

FIG. 5B is a diagram illustrating criteria for determining a directionif the number of recognizable directions is eight. Referring to FIG. 5B,the input module 110 (e.g., the touch sensor panel 111) is classifiedinto eight regions by four straight lines 21, 23, 25, and 27, and eachof the classified eight regions include a single direction. Thereafter,if a position of the user operation is changed, the changed useroperation is located in one of the eight regions. The control module 180determines a direction of a user operation based on region in which thechanged user operation is located. Specifically, the control module 180determines that the user operation moves in a direction of a region inwhich the changed user operation is located. If a position of the useroperation is changed, the input module 110 (e.g., the touch sensor panel111) is classified into eight new regions relative to the changedposition. The control module 180 may determine a direction, in which theuser operation moves, again relative to the newly classified regions.The control module 180 may sequentially determine directions, in whichthe user operation moves, using the above-described method. If a useroperation is subsequently detected with a specified length or more, orfor a specified time or more in a specific direction, the control module180 may determine that the user operation is input in the specificdirection.

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating the determination of a direction of auser operation, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.Particularly, FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating detection of a useroperation in a curved form.

FIG. 6 is illustrates a user operation 30 in a curved form detected bythe input module 110 (e.g., the touch sensor panel 111 of FIG. 1). Theuser operation 30 is detected from an initial point P1, through pointsP2 to P5, to a final point P6. As described with reference to FIG. 5A,the control module 180 of FIG. 1 determines a direction of a useroperation relative to whether a changed user operation is located in aspecific region. For example, since a user operation from the point P1to the point P2 moves within a region of a right direction, the controlmodule 180 determines that a user operation of the right direction fromthe point P1 to the point P2 is input. Since a user operation from thepoint P2 to the point P3 moves within a region of a lower direction, thecontrol module 180 determines that a user operation of the lowerdirection from the point P2 to the point P3 is input. Since a useroperation from the point P3 to the point P4 moves within a region of aleft direction, the control module 180 determines that a user operationof the left direction from the point P3 to the point P4 is input. Sincea user operation from the point P4 to the point P5 moves within a regionof a lower direction, the control module 180 determines that a useroperation of the lower direction from the point P4 to the point P5 isinput. Since a user operation from the point P5 to the point P6 moveswithin a region of a right direction, the control module 180 determinesthat a user operation of the right direction from the point P5 to thepoint P6 is input.

FIGS. 7A and 7B are diagrams illustrating the determination of adirection of a user operation, according to an embodiment of the presentdisclosure. Particularly, FIGS. 7A and 7B are drawings illustrating thedetermination of a direction of a user operation relative to contentdisplayed on a display.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the electronicdevice 100 includes the display 150 of FIG. 1 on its front surface. Thecontrol module 180 of FIG. 1 determines a direction of a user operationrelative to content displayed on the display 150. For example, thecontrol module 180 determines a direction of a user operation based on adirection of content (e.g., an image or text) displayed on the display150. Referring to FIG. 7A, the control module 180 determines that a useroperation of a right direction, a user operation of a lower direction,and a user operation of a left direction are sequentially input relativeto content displayed on the display 150. Referring to FIG. 7B, thecontrol module 180 determines that a user operation of an upperdirection, a user operation of a right direction, and a user operationof a lower direction are sequentially input relative to contentdisplayed on the display 150. When FIGS. 7A and 7B are compared,although a user operation is input to the same positions, the controlmodule 180 determines a direction of the user operation in a differentmanner based on a display direction of content.

FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating the determination of a direction of auser operation, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.Particularly, FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating the determination of adirection of a user operation relative to a direction of gravity.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the control module180 of FIG. 1 determines a direction of a user operation relative to adirection of gravity. For example, the control module 180 reflects avector indicating the direction of gravity to a plane formed by theinput module 110 (e.g., the touch sensor panel 111) of FIG. 1, anddetermines a direction of the reflected vector as a lower direction.Referring to FIG. 8, a user operation is detected in a state where anupper portion of the electronic device 100 is tilted to a left side. Thecontrol module 180 determines that a user operation of a rightdirection, a user operation of a lower direction, and a user operationof a left direction are sequentially input relative to the direction ofgravity.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, when determining adirection of a user operation, the control module 180 may correct anangle of the user operation using a tilt value of the electronic device100. For example, if a user operation is detected in a state where theplane formed by the input module 110 (e.g., the touch sensor panel 111)is tilted to a left or right side by a specific angle, the controlmodule 180 may rotate the detected user operation by the tilted angleand may determine a direction of the user operation.

FIG. 9 is a drawing illustrating the determination of a change of anangel of a user operation, according to an embodiment of the presentdisclosure.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the control module180 of FIG. 1 analyzes a user operation detected by an input module 110and determines a change of an angle of the user operation. For example,if a direction of the user operation is changed from a first directionto a second direction, the control module 180 determines a change of anangle defined by the first direction and the second direction.

In FIG. 9, a user operation detected by the input module 110 (e.g., atouch sensor panel 111 of FIG. 1). Referring to FIG. 9, it is known thata user operation of an upper direction, a user operation of a rightdirection, a user operation of an upper direction, a user operation of aright direction, a user operation of a lower direction, and a useroperation of a right direction are subsequently detected, and that adirection of the user operation is changed a total of five times. Thecontrol module 180 determines a change of an angle of a user operationwith respect to each of the direction changes. For example, in a 2Dcoordinate system, the control module 180 determines a relative anglechange between the direction of the user operation before being changedand the direction of the user operation after being changed.Specifically, the control module 180 determines a relative angle changeof a vector indicating the direction of the user operation before beingchanged and the direction of the user operation after being changed.

Referring to FIG. 9, since a first direction change 41 is a change froman upper direction of a user operation to a right direction of the useroperation, that is, since the first direction change 41 is a change from90 degrees to 0 degree, the control module 180 determines that the firstdirection change 41 is minus 90 degrees. Since a second direction change43 is a change from a right direction to an upper direction, that is,since the second direction change 43 is a change from 0 degree to 90degrees, the control module 180 determines that the second directionchange 43 is plus 90 degrees. Since a third direction change 45 is achange from an upper direction to a right direction, that is, since thethird direction change 45 is a change from 90 degrees to 0 degree, thecontrol module 180 determines that the third direction change 45 isminus 90 degrees. Since a fourth direction change 47 is a change from aright direction to a lower direction, that is, since the fourthdirection change 47 is a change from 0 degrees to 270 degrees (or minus90 degrees), the control module 180 determines that the fourth directionchange 47 is minus 90 degrees. Since a fifth direction change 49 is achange from a lower direction to a right direction, that is, since thefifth direction change 49 is a change from 270 degrees to 0 degree, thecontrol module 180 determines that the fifth direction change 49 is plus90 degrees. Therefore, the control module 180 determines that angles aresequentially changed to minus 90 degrees, plus 90 degrees, minus 90degrees, minus 90 degrees, and plus 90 degrees, with respect to the useroperation shown in FIG. 9.

FIGS. 10A and 10B are drawings illustrating the determination of adetecting region of a user operation, according to an embodiment of thepresent disclosure.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the control module180 of FIG. 1 determines a detecting region of a user operation. Forexample, the input module 110 (e.g., the touch sensor panel 111 ofFIG. 1) includes a plurality of regions. The control module 180determines whether a user operation is detected on any one of aplurality of regions. In another example, if a user operation isdetected throughout a plurality of regions, the control module 180determines an order of regions where the user operation is detected.

Referring to FIG. 10A, the input module 110 is classified into aplurality of regions. For example, the input module 110 includes a firstregion 111 and a second region 112. According to an embodiment of thepresent disclosure, the second region 112 corresponds to a right edge ofthe display 150 of FIG. 1.

Referring to FIG. 10B, the control module 180 determines a region wherea user operation that input to the input module 110 is detected. Forexample, if a first user operation 51 is detected, the control module180 determines that the first user operation 51 is input in an upperdirection in the first region 111 of the input module 110. If the seconduser operation 53 is detected, the control module 180 determines thatthe second user operation 53 is input in a right direction in the firstregion 111 and the second region 112, and is input in order from thefirst region 111 to the second region 112 (or in the right direction).If the third user operation 55 is detected, the control module 180determines that the third user operation 55 is input in a lowerdirection in the second region 112. If the fourth user operation 57 isdetected, the control module 180 determines that the fourth useroperation 57 is input in a left direction in the first region 111 andthe second region 112, and is input in order from the second region 112to the first region 111 (or in the left direction). If the fifth useroperation 59 is detected, the control module 180 determines that thefifth user operation 59 is input in a right direction in the secondregion 112. The scope and spirit of the present disclosure is notlimited to that which is shown in FIG. 10B. For example, the inputmodule 110 may receive various user operations other than those shown inFIG. 10.

FIG. 11 is a drawing illustrating the determination of a device to whicha user operation is input, according to an embodiment of the presentdisclosure.

Referring to FIG. 11, the electronic device 100 is coupled to a casedevice 200. According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, thecase device 200 includes a separate input module 210. According to anembodiment of the present disclosure, the input module 210 included inthe case device 200 may include a touch sensor panel, which senses atouch operation of a user and a pen sensor panel, which senses a penoperation of the user. The electronic device 100 connects with the inputmodule 210 of the case device 200 through the communication module 130shown in FIG. 1. The communication module 130 receives a user operationdetected by the input module 210 of the case device 200. For example, ifthe input module 210 of the case device 200 is a touch sensor panel or apen sensor panel, the communication module 130 may receive a coordinatevalue input by a touch operation or a pen operation of the user.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the control module180 of FIG. 1 determines a type of a device (or the input module 110) towhich a user operation is input. For example, the control module 180 maydetermine whether a currently detected user operation is detected by thetouch sensor panel 111 a gesture sensor 115 of FIG. 1. In anotherexample, the control module 180 may determine whether a currentlydetected user operation is detected by the input module 110 included inthe electronic device 100 or the input module 210 included in the casedevice 200. If a first user operation 61 is detected, the control module180 determines that the first user operation 61 is input to the inputmodule 210 included in the case device 200 in a lower direction. If asecond user operation 63 is detected, the control module 180 determinesthat the second user operation 63 is input to the input module 210included in the case device 200 in a right direction. If a third useroperation 65 is detected, the control module 180 determines that thethird user operation 65 is input to the input module 110 included in theelectronic device 100 in an upper direction. If a fourth user operation67 is detected, the control module 180 determines that the fourth useroperation 67 is input to the input module 110 included in the electronicdevice 100 in a left direction.

FIGS. 12A, 12B, 12C, and 12D are diagrams illustrating the display of aguide corresponding to a user operation, according to an embodiment ofthe present disclosure.

Referring to FIG. 12A, the control module 180 of FIG. 1 displays a guide71 that assists in inputting a user operation on the display 150 inresponse to a position where a user operation is initially detected.According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the guide 71includes directions guides 73 that inform a user of recognizabledirections. For example, if the number of recognizable direction iseight, as shown in FIG. 12A, the display 150 displays the eightdirection guides 73 corresponding to eight directions relative to adetected position of a user operation. According to an embodiment of thepresent disclosure, if a user operation moves from an initial positionto a position where the direction guides 73 are displayed, the controlmodule 180 determines that the user operation is input in a specificdirection.

Referring to FIG. 12B, if a position of a user operation is changed, thecontrol module 180 controls the display 150 to display the guide 71 inresponse to the changed position. According to an embodiment of thepresent disclosure, if a detecting position of a user operation ischanged, the control module 180 controls the display 150 such that theguide 71 disappears. If a user operation is input having a specifiedlength or more in a specific direction, the control module 180 controlsthe display 150 to display an object 75 at a changed position.

Referring to FIGS. 12C and 12D, if a user operation is subsequentlyinput, the control module 180 controls the display 150 to trace aposition where a user operation is detected and to continuously displaythe guide 71 on the corresponding position.

Referring to FIGS. 12B to 12D, if a user operation is subsequentlyinput, the control module 180 controls the display 150 to display theobject 75 indicating a path (or a direction) in which the user operationis input. For example, the control module 180 controls the display 150to display an input path of a user operation using a line.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the control module180 performs a specific operation according to a direction combinationof a user operation. For example, the control module 180 may unlock theelectronic device 100 of FIG. 1 according to a direction of a useroperation. In another example, the control module 180 may execute aspecific application (e.g., a camera application or a messagingapplication) according to a direction of a user operation. In anotherexample, the control module 180 may unlock the electronic device 100according to a direction of a user operation. If the electronic device100 is unlocked, the control module 180 may execute a specificapplication. Alternatively, the control module 180 may unlock variousaccounts of the electronic device 100 according to a direction of a useroperation.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the control module180 may compare information about a direction combination of a useroperation with information about at least one direction combination,which is previously stored in the memory 120 of FIG. 1 and may performan operation corresponding to the same direction combination. Forexample, the control module 180 may compare information about adirection and an input order of a user operation with information abouta direction and an input order of an user operation, which is stored inthe memory 120, and may perform an operation corresponding to the samedirection combination, that is, the same direction and the same inputorder. In another example, the control module 180 may compareinformation about a direction, an input order, and a detecting region ofa user operation with information about a direction, an input order, anda detecting region of a user operation, which is stored in the memory120, and may perform an operation corresponding to the same directioncombination, that is, the same direction, the same input order, and thesame detecting region. In another example, the control module 180 maycompare information about a direction, an input order, and an inputdevice of a user operation with information about a direction, an inputorder, and an input device of a user operation, which is stored in thememory 120, and may perform an operation corresponding to the samedirection combination, that is, the same direction, the same inputorder, and the same input device.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, when comparingdirections of user operations among direction combinations, the controlmodule 180 may compare only the directions of the user operationsirrespective of a length (or a rate) of a user operation detected by theinput module 110 and a length (or a rate) of a user operation input tobe stored in the memory 120, and may determine whether directioncombinations are the same as each other.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the control module180 may perform a specific operation according to an angle change of auser operation. For example, the control module 180 may compare an anglechange of a user operation and an order of the angle change with anangle change of a specified user operation and an order of the anglechange and may perform a specific operation according to whether theangle changes of the user operations and the orders of the angle changesare the same as each other.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, if informationabout a direction combination input by a user is not the same asinformation about a direction combination, which is stored in the memory120, a specified number of times or more, the control module 180 mayreceive a personal identification number (PIN) and may perform aspecific operation. For example, if unlocking of the electronic device100 using a direction combination fails a specified number of times ormore, the control module 180 may control the display 150 to display auser interface for reception of a PIN.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, a method ofdetermining a direction of a user operation may be set by the user. Forexample, the user may set whether to recognize only one direction or aplurality of directions using a single user operation. In anotherexample, the user may set whether to determine a direction of a useroperation according to a position where the user operation moves or todetermine a direction of a user operation using a shape in which theuser operation is detected. In another example, the user may set thenumber of recognizable directions (e.g. four or eight). For anotherexample, the user may set a region to which a user operation may beinput.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, a method ofdetermining whether direction combinations are the same as each othermay be set by the user. For example, when determining whether directioncombinations are the same as each other, the user may set whether thedetermination is made in consideration of a region where a useroperation is detected or without considering the region where the useroperation is detected. In another example, when determining whetherdirection combinations are the same as each other, the user may setwhether the determination is made in consideration of a user operationreceived from an external input device or without considering a useroperation received from the external input device.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, an object, anaudio, or a vibration provided to the user, according to recognition ofa direction of a user operation, may be set by the user. For example,the user may set whether to receive an object, an audio, or a vibration.In another example, the user may set a type of an object, an audio, or avibration to be received.

FIGS. 13A to 13D are diagrams illustrating an operation of displaying anobject corresponding to a direction of a user operation, according to anembodiment of the present disclosure.

In FIGS. 13A to 13D, an object is displayed on the display 150 of FIG.1, if user operations shown in FIGS. 2A to 2D are input. Referring toFIG. 13A, as shown in FIG. 2A, if a user operation of a right directionis input, the control module 180 of FIG. 1 controls the display 150 todisplay an icon object 81, such as an arrow in the right direction,indicating a direction of the user operation. Alternatively, the controlmodule 180 controls the display 150 to display a text object 82, “theright direction is input”, for informing the user of a direction of theuser operation. Referring to FIG. 13B, as shown in FIG. 2B, if a useroperation of a left direction is input, the control module 180 controlsthe display 150 to display an icon object 83, such as an arrow in theleft direction, indicating a direction of the user operation.Alternatively, the control module 180 controls the display 150 todisplay a text object 84, “the left direction is input”, for informingthe user of a direction of the user operation. Referring to FIG. 13C, asshown in FIG. 2C, if a user operation of an upper direction is input,the control module 180 controls the display 150 to display an iconobject 85, such as an arrow in the upper direction, indicating adirection of the user operation. Alternatively, the control module 180controls the display 150 to display a text object 86, “the upperdirection is input”, for informing the user of a direction of the useroperation. Referring to FIG. 13D, as shown in FIG. 2D, if a useroperation of a lower direction is input, the control module 180 controlsthe display 150 to display an icon object 87, such as an arrow in thelower direction, indicating a direction of the user operation.Alternatively, the control module 180 may control the display 150 todisplay a text object 88, “the lower direction is input”, for informingthe user of a direction of the user operation.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the control module180 may change an unlock mode of the electronic device 100 according tocontext information of the electronic device 100, which is obtained bythe communication module 130 or the sensor module 140 of FIG. 1. Thecontext information may include, for example, at least one of a positionof the electronic device 100, a motion of the electronic device 100,information about whether the electronic device 100 is mounted on avehicle, or a visibility of the display 150 included in the electronicdevice 100.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the control module180 may determine whether the context information of the electronicdevice 100 corresponds to a specified condition. The control module 180may determine whether a position of the electronic device 100corresponds to a specified position using current GPS information orserving cell identification information. The control module 180 maydetermine whether the electronic device 100 is located in a specificspace (or an office or home) using AP identification information. Thecontrol module 180 may determine whether the electronic device 100 is ina moving state using motion information of the electronic device 100.The control module 180 may determine whether the electronic device 100is in a state where the electronic device 100 is mounted on a vehicle(or whether the user is in a driving state) using vehicle information.The control module 180 may determine visibility of the display 150 usingbrightness information around the electronic device 100 and brightnessinformation of the display 150. The brightness information around theelectronic device may be measured by the illumination sensor 145 ofFIG. 1. For example, if an area around the electronic device 100 is darkand if the display 150 is bright, the control module 180 may determinethat visibility is high. In another example, if an area around theelectronic device 100 is bright and if the display 150 is dark, thecontrol module 180 may determine that visibility is low. The controlmodule 180 may compare brightness around the electronic device 100 withbrightness of the display 150 and may determine whether differencebetween the brightness around the electronic device 100 and thebrightness of the display 150 is greater than or equal to a specifiedvalue. The control module 180 may determine whether a specified person(e.g., a family member) exists around the electronic device 100 using animage around the electronic device 100. The control module 180 mayverify an external electronic device using an indoor positioning systemand may determine whether a specified person (e.g., a colleague) mappedwith the external device exists around the electronic device 100.

If it is determined that context information corresponds to a specifiedcondition, the control module 180 may change an unlock mode of theelectronic device 100 from a first mode to a second mode. For example,the first mode may be an unlock mode (or a PIN mode) using a PIN or anunlock mode (or a point mode) using a specified number of points (e.g.,nine points). The second mode may be an unlock mode (or a directionmode) using a direction combination. In another example, the first modemay be a lock mode using a direction combination, and the second modemay be a lock mode using a PIN.

According to various embodiments of the present disclosure, the controlmodule 180 may continuously change an unlock mode of the electronicdevice 100 according to context information of the electronic device100. If it is determined that the electronic device 100 is located in auser's home, the control module 180 may operate in the unlock mode usingthe direction mode which has a relatively low secure level. If it isdetermined that the electronic device 100 is located in a user'scompany, the control module 180 may operate in the point mode or the PINmode, which has a relatively high secure level. If visibility of thedisplay 150 is high, the control module may operate in the PIN mode orthe point mode, which requests to be input to an accurate position. Ifthe visibility of the display 150 is low, the control module may operatein the direction mode unnecessary for an accurate input. If theelectronic device 100 is in a state where the electronic device 100 ismounted on a vehicle (or if the user is in a driving state), since thecontrol module 180 does not request that the user perform an accurateinput, the control module 180 may operate in the direction mode. If theelectronic device 100 is not in the state where the electronic device100 is mounted on the vehicle, the control module 180 may operate in thePIN mode or the point mode. If it is determined that the user is in awalking or running state, the control module 180 may operate in thedirection mode. If it is determined that the user is in a stop state,the control module 180 may operate in the PIN mode or the point mode. Ifit is determined that a family member exists around the electronicdevice 100, the control module 180 may operate in the direction mode,which has a relatively low secure level. If it is determined that acolleague or a friend is located around the electronic device 100, thecontrol module 180 may operate in the PIN mode or the point mode whichhas a relatively high secure level.

FIGS. 14A to 14F and FIGS. 15A to 15F are diagrams illustrating a userinterface displayed on a display, according to embodiments of thepresent disclosure.

Referring to FIG. 14A, the display 150 of FIG. 1 displays a userinterface including an environment setup menu of the electronic device100 of FIG. 1. The user interface includes a direction mode menu 91 forsetting a direction unlock mode (or a direction mode), and a setup menu92 for setting a variable unlock mode (or a variable mode). If a userselects the direction mode menu 91, the display 150 displays a userinterface shown in FIG. 14B. The user interface shown in FIG. 14Bincludes various menus associated with the direction mode. For example,the user interface includes a setup menu 93 for setting a directioncombination. If the user selects the setup menu 93, the display 150displays a user interface shown in FIG. 14C. If the user inputs a useroperation for setting a direction combination, the display 150 displaysa user interface shown in FIG. 14D. Referring to FIG. 14D, the userinterface includes an object 94 indicating a direction of an input useroperation. If the user additionally inputs a user operation for settinga direction combination, the display 150 displays a user interface shownin FIG. 14E. Referring to FIG. 14E, the user interface displaysdirections of user operations, input up to now, in order. After a useroperation is input, if the user selects a “continue” button, the display150 displays a user interface, shown in FIG. 14F, for requesting him orher to input a direction combination again. If the user inputs thedirection combination again, the display 150 displays a user interface,shown in FIG. 15A, for setting a PIN. If the user enters a PIN, thedisplay 150 displays a user interface, shown in FIG. 15B, the user toenter the PIN again. If the user enters the PIN again, the display 150displays a user interface, shown in FIG. 15C, including a menuassociated with the direction mode.

If the electronic device 100 enters a lock state in a state where anunlock mode of the electronic device 100 is set to the direction mode,the display 150 displays a user interface shown in FIG. 15D. Referringto FIG. 15D, the user interface includes a message 95 for requesting theuser to input a direction to unlock the electronic device 100. The usermay input a user operation corresponding to a direction combination setthrough the user interface shown in FIG. 15D. If the directioncombination input by the user is different from a specified directioncombination, the display 150 displays a user interface shown in FIG.15E. Referring to FIG. 15E, the user interface includes a message 96 forinforming the user that an incorrect direction combination is input.

If the user selects the variable mode menu 92 on the user interfaceshown in FIG. 14A, the display 150 displays a user interface shown inFIG. 15F. The user interface shown in FIG. 15F includes various menusassociated with the variable mode. For example, the user interfaceincludes a menu 97 for setting a variable mode according to a positionof the electronic device 100 and a menu 98 for setting a variable modeaccording to a state of the electronic device 100. According to anembodiment of the present disclosure, the variable mode according to theposition of the electronic device 100 and the variable mode according tothe state of the electronic device 100, may be simultaneously set.

FIG. 16 is a flowchart illustrating a control method of an electronicdevice, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 16may include operations processed in the electronic device 100 shown inFIG. 1. Therefore, the components and operations of the electronicdevice 100, which are described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 15F, may beapplied to the operations of FIG. 16.

Referring to FIG. 16, in step 1610, the electronic device 100 receives auser operation (or a gesture). According to an embodiment of the presentdisclosure, the electronic device 100 receives a user operation throughthe input module 110 of FIG. 1.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, if a useroperation is received through the touch sensor panel 111 or the pensensor panel 113 of FIG. 1, the electronic device 100 may classify aregion where the user operation is input into a plurality of regions(e.g., two or more regions) and may detect a user operation that isinput in at least some of the plurality of regions. For example, theelectronic device 100 may detect a user operation that is input in oneor all of the plurality of regions.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the electronicdevice 100 may activate at least part of the touch sensor panel 111 orthe pen sensor panel 113, according to information about whether thedisplay 150 of FIG. 1 is turned on/off, the user interface displayed onthe display 150, a state where a user grips the electronic device 100,or user settings.

In step 1620, the electronic device 100 determines a directioncombination of a user operation. According to an embodiment of thepresent disclosure, the direction combination may include at least oneof a direction of a user operation, an input order of the useroperation, a detecting region of the user operation, or a type of adevice to which the user operation is input.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the electronicdevice 100 may analyze a user operation and may determine a direction ofthe user operation as one of four directions (e.g., a right direction, aleft direction, an upper direction, and a lower direction). Theelectronic device 100 may analyze a user operation and may determine adirection of the user operation as one of eight directions (e.g., aright direction, a left direction, an upper direction, a lowerdirection, a right upper direction, a right lower direction, a leftupper direction, and a left lower direction).

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the electronicdevice 100 may determine a direction of a user operation after aspecific user operation (e.g., a double tap) is input to the inputmodule 110 (e.g., the touch sensor panel 111) in a state where thedisplay 150 is powered-off.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the electronicdevice 100 may determine a direction of a user operation according to aposition where the user operation moves (or positions of a start pointand an end point of the user operation). The electronic device 100 maydetermine a direction of a user operation according to a shape of theuser operation.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, if a useroperation is detected having a specified length or more in a specificdirection, the electronic device 100 may determine that the useroperation is input in the specific direction. If a user operation isdetected for a specified time or more in a specific direction, theelectronic device 100 may determine that the user operation is input inthe specific direction. After a user operation is input having aspecified length or more or for a specified time or more in a firstdirection, if a user operation is subsequently input having thespecified length or more or for a specified time or more in a seconddirection, the electronic device 100 may determine that a plurality ofuser operations are sequentially input in the first direction and thesecond direction.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the electronicdevice 100 may determine a direction of a user operation relative tocontent displayed on the display 150. For example, the electronic device100 may determine a direction of a user operation based on a directionof content (e.g., an image or text) displayed on the display 150.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the electronicdevice 100 may determine a direction of a user operation relative to adirection of gravity. For example, the electronic device 100 may projecta vector indicating the direction of gravity to a plane formed by thetouch sensor panel 111 or the pen sensor panel 113, and may determine adirection of the projected vector as a lower direction.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, when determining adirection of a user operation, the electronic device 100 may correct anangle of the user operation using a tilt value of the electronic device100. For example, if a user operation is detected in a state where theplane formed by the touch sensor panel 111 or the pen sensor panel 113is tilted to a left side or a right side by a specific angle, theelectronic device 100 may rotate the detected user operation by thetilted angle and may determine a direction of the user operation.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the electronicdevice 100 may output a different audio signal according to a directionof a user operation. According to an embodiment of the presentdisclosure, the electronic device 100 may display a different objectaccording to a direction of a user operation. According to an embodimentof the present disclosure, the electronic device 100 may generate adifferent vibration according to a direction of a user operation.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the electronicdevice 100 may determine a detecting region of a user operation. Forexample, the input module 110 (e.g., the touch sensor panel 111) mayinclude a plurality of regions. The electronic device 100 may determinewhether a user operation is detected in any one of the plurality ofregions.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the electronicdevice 100 may determine a type of a device (or the input module 110) towhich a user operation is input. For example, the electronic device 100may determine whether a currently detected user operation is detected bythe touch sensor panel 111 or the gesture sensor 115 of FIG. 1. Inanother example, the electronic device 100 may determine whether acurrently detected user operation is detected by the input module 110included in the electronic device 100 or the input module 210 includedin the case device 200 of FIG. 11.

Referring back to FIG. 16, in step 1630, the electronic device 100compares information about the direction combination with informationabout at least one direction combination, which is stored in the memory120 of FIG. 1. According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, theelectronic device 100 may map an operation (or a command), which may beperformed by the electronic device 100 to each of at least one directioncombination and may previously store the mapped information in thememory 120.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the electronicdevice 100 may compare information about a direction and an input orderof a user operation with information about a direction and an inputorder of a user operation, which is stored in the memory 120. Theelectronic device 100 may determine a detecting region of a useroperation and may compare information about a direction, an input order,and a detecting region of the user operation with information about adirection, an input order, and a detecting region of a user operation,which is stored in the memory 120. The electronic device 100 maydetermine a type of a device to which a user operation is input and maycompare information about a direction, an input order, and an inputdevice of the user operation with information about a direction, aninput order, and an input device of a user operation, which is stored inthe memory 120.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, if informationabout a direction combination input by a user is not the same asinformation about a direction combination, which is stored in the memory120, a specified number of times or more, the electronic device 100 mayreceive a PIN and may perform a specific operation.

In step 1640, the electronic device 100 changes its state. For example,the electronic device 100 may change its state from a lock state to anunlock state according to a direction of a user operation. In anotherexample, the electronic device 100 may execute a specific application(e.g., a camera application or a messaging application) according to adirection of a user operation. In another example, the electronic device100 may unlock the electronic device 100 according to a direction of auser operation. If the electronic device 100 is unlocked, it may executea specific application.

FIG. 17 is a flowchart illustrating a method for changing an unlock modeof an electronic device, according to an embodiment of the presentdisclosure.

Referring to FIG. 17, in step 1710, the electronic device 100 of FIG. 1obtains context information (or state information) about the electronicdevice 100. The context information may include, for example, at leastone of a position of the electronic device 100, motion of the electronicdevice 100, information about whether the electronic device 100 ismounted on a vehicle, or visibility information of the display 150included in the electronic device 100. According to an embodiment of thepresent disclosure, the electronic device 100 may obtain currentposition information using a global positioning system (GPS). Theelectronic device 100 may obtain serving cell identification informationthrough a cellular network. The electronic device 100 may obtain accesspoint (AP) identification information through a wireless-fidelity(Wi-Fi) network. The electronic device 100 may obtain its motioninformation using the acceleration sensor 141 or the gyro sensor 143 ofFIG. 1. The electronic device 100 may communicate with a vehicle toobtain a variety of information associated with the vehicle. Theelectronic device 100 may obtain brightness information about theelectronic device 100 using the illumination sensor 145 of FIG. 1. Theelectronic device 100 may obtain brightness information of the display150. The electronic device 100 may obtain an image around the electronicdevice 100.

In step 1720, the electronic device 100 determines whether the contextinformation corresponds to a specified condition. According to anembodiment of the present disclosure, the electronic device 100 maydetermine whether a position of the electronic device 100 corresponds toa specified position using current GPS information or serving cellidentification information. The electronic device 100 may determinewhether the electronic device 100 is located in a specific space (or anoffice or home) using AP identification information. The electronicdevice 100 may determine whether the electronic device 100 is in amoving state using its motion information. The electronic device 100 maydetermine whether the electronic device 100 is in a state where theelectronic device 100 is mounted on a vehicle (or whether the user is ina driving state) using vehicle information. The electronic device 100may determine a visibility of the display 150 using brightnessinformation around the electronic device 100 and brightness informationof the display 150. For example, if an area around the electronic device100 is dark and if the display 150 is bright, the electronic device 100may determine that visibility is high. In another example, if an areaaround the electronic device 100 is bright and if the display 150 isdark, the electronic device 100 may determine that visibility is low.The electronic device 100 may compare brightness around the electronicdevice 100 with brightness of the display 150 and may determine whethera difference between the brightness around the electronic device 100 andthe brightness of the display 150 is greater than or equal to aspecified value. The electronic device 100 may determine whether aspecified person (e.g., a family member) exists around the electronicdevice 100 using an image around the electronic device 100.

If it is determined that context information corresponds to thespecified condition, in step 1730, the electronic device 100 changes anunlock mode of the electronic device 100 from a first mode to a secondmode. For example, the first mode may be an unlock mode (or a PIN mode)using a PIN or an unlock mode (or a point mode) using a specified numberof points (e.g., nine points). The second mode may be an unlock mode (ora direction mode) using a direction combination. In another example, thefirst mode may be a lock mode using a direction combination, and thesecond mode may be a lock mode using a PIN.

According to various embodiments of the present disclosure, an unlockmode of the electronic device 100 may be continuously changed accordingto context information of the electronic device 100. If it is determinedthat the electronic device 100 is located in a user's home, theelectronic device 100 may operate in the direction mode, which has arelatively low secure level. If it is determined that the electronicdevice 100 is located in a user's company, the electronic device 100 mayoperate in the point mode or the PIN mode, which has a relatively highsecure level. If visibility of the display 150 is high, the electronicdevice 100 may operate in the PIN mode or the point mode, which requestsinput in an accurate position. If the visibility of the display 150 islow, the electronic device 100 may operate in the direction modeunnecessary for an accurate input. If the electronic device 100 is in astate where the electronic device 100 is mounted on a vehicle (or if theuser is in a driving state), since the electronic device 100 does notrequest the user to perform an accurate input, the electronic device 100may operate in the direction mode. If the electronic device 100 is notin the state where the electronic device 100 is mounted on the vehicle,the electronic device 100 may operate in the PIN mode or the point mode.If it is determined that a family member exists around the electronicdevice 100, the electronic device 100 may operate in the direction modewhich has a relatively low secure level. If it is determined that acolleague or a friend exists around the electronic device 100, theelectronic device 100 may operate in the PIN mode or the point mode,which has a relatively high secure level.

According to embodiments of the present disclosure, when the user inputsa direction combination into a touch screen (or a touch panel), he orshe may freely input the direction combination into the touch screen (orthe touch panel) without being fixed to a specific region (or a specificpoint) on the touch screen. If the electronic device has a wide screen,the user may input a direction combination with his or her one hand.Also, since a direction combination includes various combinationsaccording to a direction of a user operation, an input order of the useroperation, a detecting region of the user operation, and a type of adevice to which the user operation is input, the electronic device mayprovide high security. Also, since the electronic device provides audio,visual, or vibrational feedback for a direction, the user may verify aresult of inputting a direction combination.

The term “module”, as used herein, may mean, for example, a unitincluding one of hardware, software, and firmware or two or morecombinations thereof. The term “module” may be interchangeably usedwith, for example, the terms “unit”, “logic”, “logical block”,“component”, and “circuit”. A module may be a minimum unit of anintegrated component or a part thereof. A module may be a minimum unitperforming one or more functions or a part thereof. A module may bemechanically or electronically implemented. For example, a module mayinclude at least one of an application-specific integrated circuit(ASIC) chip, field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), or aprogrammable-logic device, which is well known or will be developed inthe future, for performing certain operations.

According to embodiments of the present disclosure, at least part of adevice (e.g., modules or the functions) or a method (e.g., operations)may be implemented with, for example, instructions stored incomputer-readable storage media, which have a program module. When theinstructions are executed by a processor (e.g., the control module 180of FIG. 1), one or more processors may perform functions correspondingto the instructions. The computer-readable storage media may be, forexample, the memory 120 of FIG. 1.

The computer-readable storage media may include a hard disc, a floppydisk, magnetic media (e.g., a magnetic tape), optical media (e.g., acompact disc read only memory (CD-ROM) and a digital versatile disc(DVD)), magneto-optical media (e.g., a floptical disk), a hardwaredevice (e.g., a ROM, a random access memory (RAM), a flash memory, andthe like), and the like. Also, the program instructions may include, notonly mechanical codes compiled by a compiler, but also high-levellanguage codes that may be executed by a computer using an interpreterand the like. The above-described hardware device may be configured tooperate as one or more software modules to perform operations accordingto various embodiments of the present disclosure, and vice versa.

Modules or program modules, according to embodiments of the presentdisclosure, may include at least one of the above-described components.Some of the above-described components may be omitted, or otheradditional components may be included therein. Operations executed bymodules, program modules, or other elements may be executed by asuccessive method, a parallel method, a repeated method, or a heuristicmethod. Also, some of the operations may be executed in a differentorder or may be omitted, and other operations may be added.

According to embodiments of the present disclosure, the user of theelectronic device may input patterns of various forms without refrainingfrom an input form and an input region. Therefore, the user may unlockthe electronic device with his or her one hand. Also, visuallyhandicapped persons who do not verify a pattern input may convenientlyunlock their electronic devices without information exposure.

While the present disclosure has been shown and described with referenceto certain embodiments thereof, it will be understood by those skilledin the art that various changes in form and detail may be made thereinwithout departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure as definedby the appended claims and their equivalents.

What is claimed is:
 1. An electronic device, comprising: an input moduleconfigured to detect a gesture; a memory configured to store informationregarding at least one direction combination; and a control moduleconfigured to compare information regarding a direction combinationcorresponding to the gesture with the information regarding the at leastone direction combination, and to change a state of the electronicdevice from a first state to a second state according to a result ofcomparing the information regarding the direction combination with theinformation regarding the at least one direction combination, whereinthe direction combination comprises a plurality of directions.
 2. Theelectronic device of claim 1, wherein the first state is a lock state,and the second state is an unlock state.
 3. The electronic device ofclaim 1, wherein the direction combination comprises at least one of adirection of the gesture, an input order of the gesture, a detectingregion of the gesture, and a type of a device to which the gesture isinput.
 4. The electronic device of claim 1, wherein the gesturecomprises a plurality of gestures input, and each of the plurality ofgestures comprises a single direction.
 5. The electronic device of claim4, wherein the control module is further configured to determine adirection from a start point of each of the plurality of gestures to anend point of each of the plurality of gestures as the single directionof each of the plurality of gestures.
 6. The electronic device of claim4, wherein: if a second gesture of the plurality of gestures is detectedwithin a specified time after a first gesture of the plurality ofgestures is detected, the control module is further configured toinclude a direction corresponding to the second gesture in the directioncombination, and if the second gesture is detected after the specifiedtime elapses after the first gesture is detected, the control module isfurther configured to exclude the direction corresponding to the secondgesture from the direction combination.
 7. The electronic device ofclaim 1, wherein, if the gesture is of a specified length or more in afirst direction, the control module is further configured to determinethat the gesture is input in the first direction.
 8. The electronicdevice of claim 1, wherein, if the gesture is detected for a specifiedtime or more in a first direction, the control module is furtherconfigured to determine that the gesture is input in the firstdirection.
 9. The electronic device of claim 1, wherein, if a directionof the gesture is changed from a first direction to a second direction,the control module is further configured to determine that a pluralityof gestures are sequentially input in the first direction and the seconddirection.
 10. The electronic device of claim 1, further comprising: adisplay, wherein the control module is further configured to determine adirection of the gesture relative to content displayed on the display.11. The electronic device of claim 1, further comprising: anacceleration sensor configured to measure a direction of gravity,wherein the control module is further configured to determine adirection of the gesture relative to the direction of gravity.
 12. Theelectronic device of claim 1, wherein the input module comprises: agesture sensor configured to sense the gesture.
 13. The electronicdevice of claim 1, wherein: the input module comprises a touch sensorpanel; and the control module is further configured to verify a state inwhich a user grips the electronic device, and to activate at least partof the touch sensor panel according to the verified state.
 14. Theelectronic device of claim 1, further comprising: a display, wherein theinput module receives the gesture in a state in which the display ispowered-off.
 15. The electronic device of claim 1, further comprising:at least one of an audio module configured to output a audio signalaccording to a direction of the gesture, a display configured to displayan object according to the direction of the gesture, and a motorconfigured to generate a vibration according to the direction of thegesture, wherein different audio signals are output, different objectsare displayed, and different vibrations are generated for differentdirections.
 16. An electronic device, comprising: an input modeconfigured to to detect a gesture; a memory; and a control moduleconfigured to determine a plurality of directions corresponding to thegesture, and to store, in the memory, information regarding a directioncombination that includes the plurality of directions.
 17. Theelectronic device of claim 16, wherein: the gesture comprises aplurality of gestures; and each of the plurality of gestures comprises asingle direction.
 18. The electronic device of claim 17, wherein thecontrol module is further configured to determine a direction from astart point of each of the plurality of gestures to an end point of eachof the plurality of gestures as the single direction of each of theplurality of gestures.
 19. The electronic device of claim 17, wherein:if a second gesture of the plurality of gestures is detected within aspecified time after a first gesture of the plurality of gestures isdetected, the control module is further configured to include adirection corresponding to the second gesture in the directioncombination; and if the second gesture is detected after the specifiedtime elapses after the first gesture is detected, the control module isfurther configured to exclude the direction corresponding to the secondgesture from the direction combination.
 20. A control method of anelectronic device, the method comprising: receiving a gesture through aninput module of the electronic device; determining a directioncombination corresponding to the gesture, the direction combinationcomprising a plurality of directions; comparing information regardingthe direction combination with information regarding at least onedirection combination, which is stored in a memory of the electronicdevice; and changing a state of the electronic device from a first stateto a second state, using at least one processor of the electronicdevice, according to a result of comparing the information regarding thedirection combination with the information regarding the at least onedirection combination.
 21. The method of claim 20, wherein the directioncombination comprises at least one of a direction of the gesture, aninput order of the gesture, a detecting region of the gesture, and atype of a device to which the gesture is input.
 22. The method of claim20, wherein receiving the gesture comprises: receiving a plurality ofgestures, wherein each of the plurality of gestures comprises a singledirection.
 23. The method of claim 22, wherein determining the directioncombination comprises: determining a direction from a start point ofeach of the plurality of gestures to an end point of each of theplurality of gestures as the single direction of each of the pluralityof gestures.
 24. The method of claim 22, wherein determining thedirection combination comprises: including a direction corresponding toa second gesture of the plurality of gestures in the directioncombination, if the second gesture is detected within a specified timeafter a first gesture of the plurality of gestures is detected; andexcluding the direction corresponding to the second gesture from thedirection combination, if the second gesture is detected after thespecified time elapses after the first gesture is detected.
 25. Themethod of claim 20, wherein determining the direction combination of thegesture comprises: determining that the gesture is input in a firstdirection, if the gesture is of a specified length or more in the firstdirection,
 26. The method of claim 20, wherein determining the directioncombination of the gesture comprises: determining that the gesture isinput in a first direction, if the gesture is detected for a specifiedtime or more in the first direction.
 27. The method of claim 20, whereindetermining the direction combination of the gesture comprises:determining that a plurality of gestures are sequentially input in afirst direction and a second direction, if a direction of the gesture ischanged from the first direction to the second direction.
 28. The methodof claim 20, wherein determining the direction combination of thegesture comprises: determining a direction of the gesture relative tocontent displayed on a display of the electronic device.
 29. The methodof claim 20, wherein determining the direction combination of thegesture comprises: measuring a direction of gravity; and determining adirection of the gesture relative to the direction of gravity.
 30. Themethod of claim 20, further comprising: verifying a state in which auser grips the electronic device; and activating at least part of atouch sensor panel of the input module according to the verified state.31. The method of claim 20, wherein receiving the gesture comprises:receiving the gesture in a state in which a display of the electronicdevice is powered-off.
 32. The method of claim 20, further comprising:at least one of outputting an audio signal according to a direction ofthe gesture, displaying an object according to the direction of thegesture, and generating a vibration according to the direction of thegesture, wherein different audio signals are output, different objectsare displayed, and different vibrations are generated for differentdirections.
 33. A mode changing method of an electronic device, themethod comprising: obtaining context information regarding theelectronic device; determining whether the context informationcorresponds to a condition; and changing a first unlock mode of theelectronic device to a second unlock mode of the electronic device usingat least one processor of the electronic device, based on whether thecontext information corresponds to the condition.
 34. The method ofclaim 33, wherein the context information comprises at least one of aposition of the electronic device, motion of the electronic device,information regarding whether the electronic device is mounted on avehicle, and visibility information of a display of the electronicdevice.
 35. The method of claim 33, wherein: the first unlock mode usesa personal identification number (PIN) or a specified number of points,and the second unlock mode uses a direction combination.
 36. A computerrecording medium recorded with a computer-readable instruction, theinstruction, which is executed by at least one processor, causing the atleast one processor to perform a method, the method comprising:receiving a gesture through an input module of the electronic device;determining a direction combination corresponding to the gesture, thedirection combination comprising a plurality of directions; comparinginformation regarding the direction combination with informationregarding at least one direction combination, which is stored in amemory of the electronic device; and changing a state of the electronicdevice from a first state to a second state, using at least oneprocessor of the electronic device, according to a result of comparingthe information regarding the direction combination with the informationregarding the at least one direction combination.